EPL: VAR Saves City As African Trio Hands Liverpool Victory Over Palace

EPL: VAR Saves City As African Trio Hands Liverpool Victory Over Palace By Omolagba Oluwayemi VAR intervention saved City from what could've been an embarrassing weekend after it overturned Southampton penalty and Kyle Walker's red card, BSNSports.com.ng reports. A strangely shot-shy Manchester City could not find a way through a resolute Southampton side and ended up fortunate to get a draw despite the noisy backing of the home fans at Etihad Stadium. City, who did not manage a single shot on target until the 90th minute, were sloppy in possession as well as lacking their usual spark in attack and Saints will feel they should have left Manchester with all three points, not just one. The visitors were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when Kyle Walker was sent off for bundling Adam Armstrong over in the box, but both decisions were overturned when VAR intervened and referee Jon Moss watched replays of the incident. Armstrong had burst into the box after City had again given the ball away cheaply but, despite being first to the ball he was adjudged to have fouled Walker as the City defender attempted a challenge. That reprieve brought a raucous response from the City supporters, who had already been making themselves heard all afternoon, but they could not galvanise their side. City thought they had snatched victory right at the end of the 90 minutes when Raheem Sterling followed up after substitute Phil Foden's header was saved, but he was flagged offside as he converted the loose ball and a lengthy VAR check did not over-rule the decision. Saints remain winless after sharing the points for the fourth time in five league games, while the draw leaves City three points behind leaders Liverpool. Meanwhile, African trio of Sadio Mane, Mohammed Salah and Naby Keita all scored as Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 3-0 at the Anfield. Sadio Mane pounced on a rebound at the back post in the first half to give Liverpool the lead with his 100th premier league goal after the red had missed numerous scoring chances. Mohamed Salah doubled their lead with just over 10 minutes remaining when he smashed home a flick-on from a corner, before Naby Keita's late curling strike made it 3-0. Aston Villa scored three goals in nine minutes as a brilliant second-half display saw Everton's unbeaten run ended at Villa Park. As one of only five Premier League teams still unbeaten before Saturday's game, the Toffees fell apart in the second half as the hosts deservedly took all three points. After a lacklustre first half with few chances, the game sprung to life in the 66th minute when Villa full-back Matty Cash fired past stand-in Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic with a fine left-footed finish. The Toffees conceded again three minutes later as substitute Leon Bailey's corner was headed into his own net by Lucas Digne at the near post. Bailey added a third 15 minutes from full-time after showing great composure to nod the ball down before finding the roof of the net with a thunderous strike. Martin Odegaard's first-half free-kick gave Arsenal their first away win of the season at Burnley. The Norwegian curled home after Ashley Westwood had clipped Bukayo Saka on the edge of the area. It was Odegaard's first goal since joining the Gunners on a permanent basis from Real Madrid in a £30m deal last month. Burnley were denied a chance to equalise from the penalty spot when referee Anthony Taylor overturned his initial decision after reviewing Aaron Ramsdale's challenge on substitute Matej Vydra on the pitchside screen. Ismaila Sarr scored twice as Watford beat Norwich in the battle of the two promoted sides and Premier League relegation rivals - to leave Norwich bottom on no points. The Canaries become only the fourth side to ever lose their opening five Premier League games - and manager Daniel Farke is the first manager to lose 15 consecutive matches in the English top flight. Emmanuel Dennis snuck in behind Ozan Kabak to head in the opener from Kiko Femenia's cross and celebrated with a somersault. Teemu Pukki levelled when he ran on to a ball over the top from the halfway line by debutant Mathias Normann before slamming past the advancing Ben Foster. But Sarr put Watford ahead when he buried Joshua King's cut-back from the byline. And he wrapped up the game when he slotted home the rebound after Tim Krul saved King's shot. The goal was initially ruled out for a King offside but eventually awarded following a video assistant referee consultation.